Blooming brilliant launch for charity’s celebrity art exhibiton

4 Mar 2019 12:45
Published by: Daniel Almond

 

STARS of stage and screen unveiled their artwork for charity at a glittering launch event on Friday night.

The Flower Power project has seen more than 25 celebrities pick up their paintbrushes to raise money for Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley.

On Friday night, flowers designed by celebrities including Joanna Lumley, Jeremy Vine, Geri “Ginger Spice” Horner, Timmy Mallett and Helen Lederer, were showcased to the public, at Hepplestone Fine Art Gallery at Heskin Hall.

The artwork makes up a beautiful birthday bouquet to mark the 25th anniversary of the charity, which provides respite and end-of-life care for children from across the North West.

The flowers are now on display at Derian’s charity shop in Chorley town centre, and are being auctioned on eBay (finishing on Monday, 11 March).

Click here to see the artwork and place a bid.

David Robinson, Chief Executive of Derian House, said: “The whole idea came from our 25th anniversary this year. We decided to ask celebrities to design us a birthday bouquet, and have been overwhelmed by their creativity and generosity. Hepplestone Fine Art Gallery has done an amazing job of showcasing the work.”

Comedian and radio presenter Ted Robbins, who designed one of the flowers, along with his wife Judy and celebrity cake-maker daughter Molly Robbins, was at the event in his role as Derian Ambassador.

He said: “It’s a while since I’ve done any painting, but I did do it as part of my degree and enjoyed it. Our Molly is the real arty one in the family and Judy’s flower is a knock-out too. The last time I had a painting framed I was nine-years-old and got a red star for it!

“It’s really interesting seeing how the celebrities have done different types of flowers – some are cartoony and there’s been a lot of work put into some of them. There’s some great names in the exhibition.”

Leyland artist Michael Ashcroft, whose paintings usually sell for up to £10,000, painted a sunflower for the project.

At Friday’s event, he said: “Derian House is a wonderful local cause and I was honoured to be invited to take part. It’s great that all these celebrities have come out in support of such a worthy charity. The best flower in my opinion is probably Geri’s. She was always my favourite Spice Girl!”

Derian House needs to raise £4million every year to keep the hospice running. Less than 10 per cent of this comes from statutory funding, so it relies heavily on the generosity of its supporters.

Visit www.derianhouse.co.uk/flower-power

 

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